Outdoors
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Fishers for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Mississinewa Lake: the name Mississinewa was derived from the Miami Indian word "Mis-chis-in-wah," which means water on a slope. The area is rich in Indian history.
Cagles Mill Lake: The control tower is round and the outlet works conduit was mined through solid rock. Cataract Falls, with upper and lower falls, is the largest waterfall (by volume) in Indiana.
Salamonie Lake: was derived from the Indian word "O-sah-mo-nee" which means "yellow paint." The Indians made yellow dye and paint from the bloodroot that grew abundantly along the banks of the stream.
The fall forest colors are vivid in October when Parke County holds its nine-day Covered Bridge Festival. Cecil M.
Brookville Lake, IN lies in the heart of the Whitewater River Valley. This area has long been acknowledged as one of the most picturesque and historically significant in the State of Indiana.
J. Edward Roush Lake (formerly Huntington): of the 20 lakes in the Louisville District, J.
Hardin Ridge is a 1,200-acre recreational complex located on the shores of Monroe Reservoir in Hooiser National Forest. The complex includes six shady campground loops, two picnic areas with shelters, and two rental cabins.
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 as a refuge to provide feeding and resting areas for migratory birds.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 50,000 acres in Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties. The refuge covers a portion of the former Jefferson Proving Ground, a munitions testing facility operated by the U.S.
West Fork Lake, OH is leased to the Hamilton County Park District and is part of the 2,630-acre Winton Woods Park. The park includes two State Dedicated Nature Preserves including Spring Beauty Dell and the Greenbelt Area.
An important navigation feature in the Ohio River System. Sightseers may watch the navigation locking process. This area is along the Lewis and Clark route.
Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy.
Caesar Creek Lake, OH sits astride the crest of the Cincinnati Arch, a nationally recognized resource that is visited by fossil collectors from all over the world.
Patoka Lake: two pairs of bald eagles established nests during the spring of 1992 through 1997.
C.J. Brown Dam & Reservoir, OH is located on the northeast corner of Springfield on the Buck Creek, 7 miles above its confluence with Mad River. The project is home to two rare fen communities.
William H. Harsha Lake, OH is located on the East Fork of the Little Miami River in Clermont County. In 1869 there were two active gold mines on the project.
The Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area is a tranquil getaway in the midst of the Hoosier National Forest.
Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks & Dam is located at mile marker 436 on the Ohio River. It creates a 95 mile navigational pool between Meldahl Locks & Dam and Greenup Locks & Dam.
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast.
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.
The Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located on the shores of its namesake lake in south-central Indiana's Hoosier National Forest. It offers camping, picnic areas, boating, swimming, hiking, biking and educational programs.
The Patoka River in Southwest Indiana had long been recognized for its wetland and wildlife values on a local, statewide and regional basis.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Fishers. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Mississinewa Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 52 miles north of Fishers as the crow flies. Next are Cagles Mill Lake (60 mi) and Salamonie Lake (60 mi).
Based on Fishers’s average highs, May–September. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.